"The court ruling has only left disappointment to many silent victims of sexual abuse," she told reporters. "I have to question why is it so hard to listen to the victim's claim that there was no consent."

More than 80 men have been accused of sexual abuse since the #MeToo movement spread to South Korea months ago. Of those, 38 are under investigation or on trial, including former high-ranking justice ministry official Ahn Tae-geun and prominent film director Lee Yoon-taek.